Beer is one of the oldest drinks in the world. It dates back to at least the 5000 BC as recorded by the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians. A six thousand year old Sumerian tablet shows people drinking a beverage from a large bowl using straws made from reeds. The oldest recipe for beer is contained in a 3900 year old poem which uses barley to make the drink. Some anthropologists believe it was the production of beer that led nomadic humans to cultivate cereals and settle in villages. The knowledge of brewing was transferred from ancient civilizations to the Greeks, who in turn passed their techniques on to the Romans. Soon, Romans came to prefer wine to beer, viewing it as a drink for barbarians such as the Germanic tribes.
During the middle ages, there was much experimentation in Europe as to which ingredients to use. Hops began to be used as early as the 11th century. By the 14th century, beer brewing had become a commercial industry in which monasteries and pubs produced large amounts of the drink for mass consumption. During the 15th century in England hops were imported from the Netherlands. At first, the English did want the hops added to their beers. However, with a couple hundred years, nearly all English ales and beers contained hops. In 1516 the Duke of Bavaria proclaimed that beer should only be made from water, hops and barley. Yeast was later added to the list after its discovery. When Otto von Bismarck unified Germany in 1871 this Reinheitsgebot ("purity requirement" in English) was adopted into German law. Most beer during this time was actually what is now referred to as ale. Lagers were first created by accident in the 1500s when beer was stored in cool caves.
During the Industrial Revolution beer brewing was also industrialized. The invention of the hydrometer and thermometer in the 19th century allowed brewers to make beer more efficiently. Before the 1700s, malt was dried over fire, which gave it a strong smoky flavor. The malt was shielded from the smoke with the invention of the drum roaster in 1817. The discovery of yeast and its part in fermentation further streamlined the process of brewing.
In 1900, there were over 2,000 independent brewers in the United States. After Prohibition in the 1920s, many American brewers that had been making European-style beers went out of business. There are now less than 20 still in operation. Water was often added to bootlegged beer during this time to increase the bootleggers' profits, which led to Americans preferring lighter-tasting beers. Today, most beers brewed in America are light-flavored lagers.
Founded in 1852 in St. Louis, Missouri, the largest of these American brewers is Anheuser-Busch, which is the also third largest brewer in the world following InBev and SABMiller. Anheuser-Busch is most famous for brands such as Budweiser, Natural Light and Michelob, but brews over 65 different beers. The corporation has 11 breweries in 10 states, including facilities in Los Angeles, California, Columbus, Ohio and Jacksonville, Florida, as well as 15 overseas breweries: 14 in China and 1 in England.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Beer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Good News For Beer Drinkers - Barley Lowers Your Cholesterol
If you are over 40 and male, you have been told repeatedly that you have to watch your blood pressure, watch your cholesterol and eat healthier. One of the main ingredients in beer, barley can help you do a much better job of health maintenance than you might expect.
Barley is a type of grain that has been cultivated for about 10,000 years. It is not only one of the most useful grains in history; it is also easy to grow. It is a member of the grass family and has been used in everything from breakfast cereals to animal feed. This is the reason my health food centric family used it a lot.
For most of the time growing up my dad would mix powers and fruits with milk and other liquids in his industrial strength blender. He even made the type of drink made famous in Rocky in which a load of foul smelling health products were topped off with raw eggs and blended. My dad had his own similar recipe long before Rocky Balboa gulped his concoction on screen.
One of the most curious meals he would make was barley. He would boil the grain and pour the water into a bottle, which he stored in the fridge. I once asked him what the liquid was for and he said "Barley water is one of the healthiest substances known to man". I jokingly replied "Is that why beer is so popular?" He responded "That's what makes whisky taste so good."
I later found out from my grandfather (who drinks neither beer nor whisky) that there are a wide variety of benefits to consuming barley, one of the main reasons for middle aged men and women is its cholesterol reducing properties. Here is what the FDA now says about the subject:
Barley contains high levels of dietary fiber and selenium (a type of antioxidants). Recent studies showed that a diet high in beta-glucan from barley helps lower blood LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol).
Barley may also help stabilize blood glucose levels, which may benefit people with diabetes. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2004 reported a 6 percent and 8 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol following consumption of diets containing barley with 3 grams and 6 grams of beta-glucan soluble fiber, respectively.
As I launch into my fifth decade of life, I heed the advice of my grandfather (he was a doctor) and father (physical therapist) and consume my barley water and mix my barley in my food. I even make some of those noxious potions my dad used to make for my pre or post workout meals.
My two sons have no interest in drinking this stuff yet but I'm sure that one day I'll be asked about barley water or some other home made health drink. I don't drink beer or whiskey but I sure love my barley. For more information on health related foods check out my free manual on fat burning at http://www.fatburningworkoutafter40.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Francis
Barley is a type of grain that has been cultivated for about 10,000 years. It is not only one of the most useful grains in history; it is also easy to grow. It is a member of the grass family and has been used in everything from breakfast cereals to animal feed. This is the reason my health food centric family used it a lot.
For most of the time growing up my dad would mix powers and fruits with milk and other liquids in his industrial strength blender. He even made the type of drink made famous in Rocky in which a load of foul smelling health products were topped off with raw eggs and blended. My dad had his own similar recipe long before Rocky Balboa gulped his concoction on screen.
One of the most curious meals he would make was barley. He would boil the grain and pour the water into a bottle, which he stored in the fridge. I once asked him what the liquid was for and he said "Barley water is one of the healthiest substances known to man". I jokingly replied "Is that why beer is so popular?" He responded "That's what makes whisky taste so good."
I later found out from my grandfather (who drinks neither beer nor whisky) that there are a wide variety of benefits to consuming barley, one of the main reasons for middle aged men and women is its cholesterol reducing properties. Here is what the FDA now says about the subject:
Barley contains high levels of dietary fiber and selenium (a type of antioxidants). Recent studies showed that a diet high in beta-glucan from barley helps lower blood LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol).
Barley may also help stabilize blood glucose levels, which may benefit people with diabetes. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2004 reported a 6 percent and 8 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol following consumption of diets containing barley with 3 grams and 6 grams of beta-glucan soluble fiber, respectively.
As I launch into my fifth decade of life, I heed the advice of my grandfather (he was a doctor) and father (physical therapist) and consume my barley water and mix my barley in my food. I even make some of those noxious potions my dad used to make for my pre or post workout meals.
My two sons have no interest in drinking this stuff yet but I'm sure that one day I'll be asked about barley water or some other home made health drink. I don't drink beer or whiskey but I sure love my barley. For more information on health related foods check out my free manual on fat burning at http://www.fatburningworkoutafter40.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Francis
How to Find Home Brewing Instructions For Beer
There are many different thoughts on which set of home brewing instructions produce the best ale. A person will want to do a little research to find the instructions that fit their needs. Some instructions are very detailed and will require specific equipment and materials to make brew. Others, like the overview below, will give basic instructions that one can follow very easily to learn how the process of making home brew works.
Before starting decide where in your home you can put a container that will be undisturbed for a couple of weeks. Beer will taste better if it ferments in a cool, dark place. Most people choose to ferment their beer in their garage. But, extreme temperature fluctuations can affect beer brewing also. Be sure that the location will not experience temperature changes. The next step will be to gather the equipment and ingredients that will be used in brewing your beer. It is really important that everything that is used be sanitized for each step and not laid down or handled. Some people take a couple of short cuts by not using a funnel and just wiping up the mess when wort spills, but that is up to the individual. If a funnel is used, it needs to be sanitized.
You're going to need a five gallon glass container for fermenting that has a rubber stopper and an air lock. These are available through beer brewing websites and specialty shops. You'll also need some spare bags to hold your hops. These are bags made especially for making mash. You'll need a pot, funnel, thermometer and measuring cup for making your wort. You'll need a study container with a strong base and plastic hose for the last step in starting the fermentation process. Most importantly you're going to need either unscented bleach or some other type of sanitizer to keep everything sanitized as you work.
The ingredients to make a good beer are simple. They are: yeast, hops, malt (usually in an extract) and water. After sanitizing the equipment and depending on the type of beer there are several methods for making beer. The selection of water is very important to produce a good tasting beer. The following are acceptable - boiled tap water, charcoal filtered water. Use of distilled water is discouraged. It is important to carefully watch the temperature when working with the yeast.
Basically the steps for making beer are: Boil water; boil wort (liquid extract from mashing process; add hops (either bittering or finishing); prepare fermenter; lower temperature; prepare the yeast; put wort in fermenter; fill fermenter with cold water; add yeast; fill sturdy container with water and set beside fermenter, insert one end of tubing into fermenter and other end in container of water (you will see active bubbling at this stage); after activity of yeast slows, remove tube and insert stopper and air lock.
Let beer ferment (in a cool place) - usually up to 15 days, put it in the bottles, cap it and then enjoy a good bottle of home made beer.
It can take up to fifteen days for the beer to ferment properly. When the beer is no longer milky it's time to bottle. After it's done fermenting put it into sanitized bottles, cap it and it's ready to drink. Be sure to do a little research and get more home brewing instructions when you decide to make beer. It's easy and great fun and when done correctly tastes great.
I have always been a lover of micro-brews. A few years ago my wife bought me a beer making kit. The first batch was awful. But I did not give up I searched all over for the best home brewing instructions and I want to share them with you here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_B_George
Before starting decide where in your home you can put a container that will be undisturbed for a couple of weeks. Beer will taste better if it ferments in a cool, dark place. Most people choose to ferment their beer in their garage. But, extreme temperature fluctuations can affect beer brewing also. Be sure that the location will not experience temperature changes. The next step will be to gather the equipment and ingredients that will be used in brewing your beer. It is really important that everything that is used be sanitized for each step and not laid down or handled. Some people take a couple of short cuts by not using a funnel and just wiping up the mess when wort spills, but that is up to the individual. If a funnel is used, it needs to be sanitized.
You're going to need a five gallon glass container for fermenting that has a rubber stopper and an air lock. These are available through beer brewing websites and specialty shops. You'll also need some spare bags to hold your hops. These are bags made especially for making mash. You'll need a pot, funnel, thermometer and measuring cup for making your wort. You'll need a study container with a strong base and plastic hose for the last step in starting the fermentation process. Most importantly you're going to need either unscented bleach or some other type of sanitizer to keep everything sanitized as you work.
The ingredients to make a good beer are simple. They are: yeast, hops, malt (usually in an extract) and water. After sanitizing the equipment and depending on the type of beer there are several methods for making beer. The selection of water is very important to produce a good tasting beer. The following are acceptable - boiled tap water, charcoal filtered water. Use of distilled water is discouraged. It is important to carefully watch the temperature when working with the yeast.
Basically the steps for making beer are: Boil water; boil wort (liquid extract from mashing process; add hops (either bittering or finishing); prepare fermenter; lower temperature; prepare the yeast; put wort in fermenter; fill fermenter with cold water; add yeast; fill sturdy container with water and set beside fermenter, insert one end of tubing into fermenter and other end in container of water (you will see active bubbling at this stage); after activity of yeast slows, remove tube and insert stopper and air lock.
Let beer ferment (in a cool place) - usually up to 15 days, put it in the bottles, cap it and then enjoy a good bottle of home made beer.
It can take up to fifteen days for the beer to ferment properly. When the beer is no longer milky it's time to bottle. After it's done fermenting put it into sanitized bottles, cap it and it's ready to drink. Be sure to do a little research and get more home brewing instructions when you decide to make beer. It's easy and great fun and when done correctly tastes great.
I have always been a lover of micro-brews. A few years ago my wife bought me a beer making kit. The first batch was awful. But I did not give up I searched all over for the best home brewing instructions and I want to share them with you here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_B_George
Beer Making Ingredients For Home Brewing
Brewing is hard work. There are no easy sun-filled days of dancing in woven baskets. The brewer must work to loosen its grip on the essential beer making ingredients - sugar. Anyone who seeks to create an alcoholic beverage must have sugar to ferment. There are many details along the way that will determine how the beer will turn out. Every journey must begin with a single step; and when it comes to beer, that first step is preparing the essential beer making ingredients, which is malting the barley.
Malted barley, also known simply as malt, is barley seed that has been steeped in water until it starts to sprout, and then dried out in a kiln. For the brewer, barley has special gifts that other grains cannot offer. Its hard husk, low protein content and high starch contents all making a more suitable beer making ingredient.
From the beginning of the malting process, differences in moisture content, barley variety, and kilning temperatures and times are crucial and result in different varieties of malt. Every variety has a flavor, a color, an aroma, and a purpose. Malt is still the first beer making ingredient we are talking about.
The second essential beer making ingredient is hops. Most people seem to know that beer contains hops. In fact, most people seem to think that hops are the main beer making ingredients and that perhaps hops are grains. Actually, hop is a flower. It lends natural preservatives qualities to the finished beer and provides bitterness plus a range of flavors and aromas. Essentially, it acts as a spice. The bitterness of the hop is the backbone of the beer.
Yeast is another beer making ingredient. The right yeast will produce the right flavors. In many respects, the yeast can be rightly said to be the single most important beer making ingredient the brewer selects. Centuries ago, before brewers learned what yeast truly was, beer was allowed to ferment spontaneously.
The last and not to be forgotten beer making ingredient is water. Water is important. Most beers are at least 90 percent water, so it should come as no surprise that water is a critical element in the flavor of beer. The quality of the water will determine the quality of the beer produced.
Beer is made from simple ingredients but the whole process of beer brewing makes beer a more than simple beverage. To truly appreciate the beauty of beer, you can consider getting the beer making ingredients and start brewing your own beer.
For more information on Home Beer Brewing [http://home-beer-brewing.my-beer-store.com/Articles/Home_Beer_Making.php], Beer Glasses, Beer of the Month Club [http://beer-clubs.my-beer-store.com/Articles/Beer_Clubs.php], Beer Dispensers or, you can visit this site: My Beer Store [http://www.my-beer-store.com]
©Skyjoe. All rights reserved. This article may be freely distributed as long as it remains unaltered inclusive of the active links and the copyright notice. No alteration is allowed without express written permission from the author.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sky_Joe
Malted barley, also known simply as malt, is barley seed that has been steeped in water until it starts to sprout, and then dried out in a kiln. For the brewer, barley has special gifts that other grains cannot offer. Its hard husk, low protein content and high starch contents all making a more suitable beer making ingredient.
From the beginning of the malting process, differences in moisture content, barley variety, and kilning temperatures and times are crucial and result in different varieties of malt. Every variety has a flavor, a color, an aroma, and a purpose. Malt is still the first beer making ingredient we are talking about.
The second essential beer making ingredient is hops. Most people seem to know that beer contains hops. In fact, most people seem to think that hops are the main beer making ingredients and that perhaps hops are grains. Actually, hop is a flower. It lends natural preservatives qualities to the finished beer and provides bitterness plus a range of flavors and aromas. Essentially, it acts as a spice. The bitterness of the hop is the backbone of the beer.
Yeast is another beer making ingredient. The right yeast will produce the right flavors. In many respects, the yeast can be rightly said to be the single most important beer making ingredient the brewer selects. Centuries ago, before brewers learned what yeast truly was, beer was allowed to ferment spontaneously.
The last and not to be forgotten beer making ingredient is water. Water is important. Most beers are at least 90 percent water, so it should come as no surprise that water is a critical element in the flavor of beer. The quality of the water will determine the quality of the beer produced.
Beer is made from simple ingredients but the whole process of beer brewing makes beer a more than simple beverage. To truly appreciate the beauty of beer, you can consider getting the beer making ingredients and start brewing your own beer.
For more information on Home Beer Brewing [http://home-beer-brewing.my-beer-store.com/Articles/Home_Beer_Making.php], Beer Glasses, Beer of the Month Club [http://beer-clubs.my-beer-store.com/Articles/Beer_Clubs.php], Beer Dispensers or, you can visit this site: My Beer Store [http://www.my-beer-store.com]
©Skyjoe. All rights reserved. This article may be freely distributed as long as it remains unaltered inclusive of the active links and the copyright notice. No alteration is allowed without express written permission from the author.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sky_Joe
Hops Are The Main Ingredient For Making Beer
Hops are the main ingredient for making beer. There are a number of different varieties and blends that you can use. You will change the flavor of your beer by changing the varieties and blends of hops you put into it.
In their natural state, hops are climbing vines and will last for about 20 years. They are perennials and go dormant in winter. In springtime they put out new growth and come back to life. If you want to grow your own hops they are easy to grow and do not take up too much room if you support them on a fence or trellis. Their stalks actually wind around supports and as such they are known as bines as opposed to vines that use tendrils to climb.
Like many bines the hop has male and female plants. It is the female plant that is used in brewing beer. The flower glands produce a unique type of oil, which is used to flavor and preserve the beer. There are 3 varieties of hops; Asian, Common hop and the Yunnan Hop, from China. For brewing, a special hop has been cultivated, that can be propagated by asexual reproduction.
Cultivation of hops has been around since ancient times. The first hops were cultivated in Germany in 736. Germany still provides 25% of the hops grown today. Hops are now grown in Kent UK, Washington state USA, Belgium and the Czech republic. Other places include New Zealand, China, Australia, Poland and Russia.
Growing your own hops is a fun and economical way to save money. They are easy to grow and can be cultivated in temperate climates. They are harvested and at one time were dried in special places called Oast houses. Now these houses are no longer used and the hops are dried commercially. The Oast houses are now being converted to regular houses.
Hops for cultivation can be obtained from nursery plants or cuttings. They are planted in hills. Care should be taken to protect them against pests, as there are several types of bugs that can attack them.
Graham Williams is the owner of http://www.gw-ebooks.com this site is full of books that are about hobbies such as Brewing your own beer, Camping, Bird watching, Beekeeping. While your there don't forget to sign up to my newsletter and you will receive monthly discounts in any new book that is added each month you can visit my site here http://www.gw-ebooks.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graham_Williams
In their natural state, hops are climbing vines and will last for about 20 years. They are perennials and go dormant in winter. In springtime they put out new growth and come back to life. If you want to grow your own hops they are easy to grow and do not take up too much room if you support them on a fence or trellis. Their stalks actually wind around supports and as such they are known as bines as opposed to vines that use tendrils to climb.
Like many bines the hop has male and female plants. It is the female plant that is used in brewing beer. The flower glands produce a unique type of oil, which is used to flavor and preserve the beer. There are 3 varieties of hops; Asian, Common hop and the Yunnan Hop, from China. For brewing, a special hop has been cultivated, that can be propagated by asexual reproduction.
Cultivation of hops has been around since ancient times. The first hops were cultivated in Germany in 736. Germany still provides 25% of the hops grown today. Hops are now grown in Kent UK, Washington state USA, Belgium and the Czech republic. Other places include New Zealand, China, Australia, Poland and Russia.
Growing your own hops is a fun and economical way to save money. They are easy to grow and can be cultivated in temperate climates. They are harvested and at one time were dried in special places called Oast houses. Now these houses are no longer used and the hops are dried commercially. The Oast houses are now being converted to regular houses.
Hops for cultivation can be obtained from nursery plants or cuttings. They are planted in hills. Care should be taken to protect them against pests, as there are several types of bugs that can attack them.
Graham Williams is the owner of http://www.gw-ebooks.com this site is full of books that are about hobbies such as Brewing your own beer, Camping, Bird watching, Beekeeping. While your there don't forget to sign up to my newsletter and you will receive monthly discounts in any new book that is added each month you can visit my site here http://www.gw-ebooks.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graham_Williams
How to Make Beer Using Your Coffee Maker
Do you fancy making your own blend of beer? You can actually brew your own beer version if you have a coffee maker at home. I bet you haven't considered that before.
Many people find comfort in drinking beer after a long day of work. In many parts in Asia especially Japan, they consider this as a way to relax and unwind. These are sold virtually everywhere in bottles and cans. But if you are up to the task of experimenting, you can actually make your very own blend of beer.
How? These here are the steps on how to do it:
Step 1: Prepare your ingredients and materials first. Keep your drip coffee machine standby while you prepare the other ingredients. You will need grain used for brewing this drink, malt, brewer's yeast and hops. You can use raisin bran for the grains or you can purchase those that are already sold in the store. If you fancy a sort-of fruity taste in your drink, you can purchase grapes or citrus fruits. Some nuts are also a good choice. You should also have mug or jars to place the finished product later and of course, water.
Step 2: If your brewer has a grinder, use that to grind the grains. Otherwise, you can use food processor to grind it up to a coarse consistency. Now put those grains in the carafe.
Step 3: Pour two cups of water in the brewer's water tank and then run this cycle. Basically, you are just heating up the water so it directly goes into the carafe. The hot water will heat up the coarse grains.
Step 4: Once it releases the enzymes from the grains, the liquid can now be called wort. Now using a strainer, separate the wort from the coarse grains. Put the grains on the coffee filter basket and then add malt. Put the wort back on the water tank and then add a cup of water. Let it brew back into carafe. Do the same process for 5 times. Add a cup of water for every 5 times so the water will not evaporate.
Step 5: Now pour the liquid in a pan and let it boil for about 40 minutes and then add the hops. Simmer for another 2 minutes and then remove the pan from the fire. Pour the wort on the container. Let it cool first before adding the yeast. After adding yeast, you can now store it in a dark place for a week before sampling it.
For more bodum coffee makers reviews, tips and advice on choosing the best coffee machine for you and your family, please visit http://www.coffeemakerwizard.com now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zach_Smith
Many people find comfort in drinking beer after a long day of work. In many parts in Asia especially Japan, they consider this as a way to relax and unwind. These are sold virtually everywhere in bottles and cans. But if you are up to the task of experimenting, you can actually make your very own blend of beer.
How? These here are the steps on how to do it:
Step 1: Prepare your ingredients and materials first. Keep your drip coffee machine standby while you prepare the other ingredients. You will need grain used for brewing this drink, malt, brewer's yeast and hops. You can use raisin bran for the grains or you can purchase those that are already sold in the store. If you fancy a sort-of fruity taste in your drink, you can purchase grapes or citrus fruits. Some nuts are also a good choice. You should also have mug or jars to place the finished product later and of course, water.
Step 2: If your brewer has a grinder, use that to grind the grains. Otherwise, you can use food processor to grind it up to a coarse consistency. Now put those grains in the carafe.
Step 3: Pour two cups of water in the brewer's water tank and then run this cycle. Basically, you are just heating up the water so it directly goes into the carafe. The hot water will heat up the coarse grains.
Step 4: Once it releases the enzymes from the grains, the liquid can now be called wort. Now using a strainer, separate the wort from the coarse grains. Put the grains on the coffee filter basket and then add malt. Put the wort back on the water tank and then add a cup of water. Let it brew back into carafe. Do the same process for 5 times. Add a cup of water for every 5 times so the water will not evaporate.
Step 5: Now pour the liquid in a pan and let it boil for about 40 minutes and then add the hops. Simmer for another 2 minutes and then remove the pan from the fire. Pour the wort on the container. Let it cool first before adding the yeast. After adding yeast, you can now store it in a dark place for a week before sampling it.
For more bodum coffee makers reviews, tips and advice on choosing the best coffee machine for you and your family, please visit http://www.coffeemakerwizard.com now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zach_Smith
Making Beer Can Be Good For Your Health. Can That Be True?
Yes, it is true! Making beer can actually be good for your health. Let's take a look at some of the advantages of actually making the beer.
The simple act of brewing beer as a hobby can be very relaxing. There is a sense of accomplishment at being able to produce a favorite beverage that you can enjoy yourself or use to impress your friends at your next party.
But the true health benefits of drinking beer in moderation begin with factors centering around the heart. This moderate beer drinking has been shown to lower the chance of coronary heart disease. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center put that chance at between 30% and 40% in a study conducted in May of 1999. The occurrence of stroke can be decreased by a full 20% states "The New England Journal of Medicine" in their November 1999 issue. Still other studies indicate that beer increases the good cholesterol, HDL, and decreases the chance of blood clots.
Now for the nutrition and food factors in beer.
Contains vitamin B6 - which prevents the build-up of amino acid homocysteine linked to causing heart and vascular disease
Contains no fat and no bad cholesterol
Increases vitamin B6 absorption into the blood plasma
While the amount or number of drinks is important in defining moderation, the pattern of drinking is probably even more important. Regular consumption as opposed to binge drinking indicates the lowest risk of heart attack. Moderate drinking is defined at 1 to 3 drinks a day for men and 1 to 2 drinks a day for women who are more sensitive to alcohol.
Ok, there you have it - another good reason to get around to brewing your favorite beer in the comfort of your own home.
Start your journey toward brewing you own healthy batch of homebrew today. Get a free beginner's guide to brewing beer at home which includes 13 delicious recipes at http://www.beer-brew-guide.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Sue_Smith
The simple act of brewing beer as a hobby can be very relaxing. There is a sense of accomplishment at being able to produce a favorite beverage that you can enjoy yourself or use to impress your friends at your next party.
But the true health benefits of drinking beer in moderation begin with factors centering around the heart. This moderate beer drinking has been shown to lower the chance of coronary heart disease. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center put that chance at between 30% and 40% in a study conducted in May of 1999. The occurrence of stroke can be decreased by a full 20% states "The New England Journal of Medicine" in their November 1999 issue. Still other studies indicate that beer increases the good cholesterol, HDL, and decreases the chance of blood clots.
Now for the nutrition and food factors in beer.
Contains vitamin B6 - which prevents the build-up of amino acid homocysteine linked to causing heart and vascular disease
Contains no fat and no bad cholesterol
Increases vitamin B6 absorption into the blood plasma
While the amount or number of drinks is important in defining moderation, the pattern of drinking is probably even more important. Regular consumption as opposed to binge drinking indicates the lowest risk of heart attack. Moderate drinking is defined at 1 to 3 drinks a day for men and 1 to 2 drinks a day for women who are more sensitive to alcohol.
Ok, there you have it - another good reason to get around to brewing your favorite beer in the comfort of your own home.
Start your journey toward brewing you own healthy batch of homebrew today. Get a free beginner's guide to brewing beer at home which includes 13 delicious recipes at http://www.beer-brew-guide.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Sue_Smith
Making Beer at Home - A Brief Overview
When it comes to making beer at home, the first thing you need to do is to go out and purchase a very basic home brewing kit. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $150 for the kit. To get the brewing underway you will need a number of items. In general, this list includes a stopper, a plastic hose, a brew pot, a primary fermenter, bottle brush, bottle capper (if you choose to use glass bottles), bottles, a bottling bucket and a thermometer. You will also require a variety of household items including a small bowl, saucepan, rubber spatula, oven mitts/pot handlers, and a large mixing spoon that is made of either plastic or stainless steel.
The next thing you need to do when it comes to making beer at home is to choose the recipe you are going to make and then buy the necessary ingredients. The smartest move for the novice beer maker is to buy a prepackaged "beer kit" at the liquor store. The beer kit will consist of a large can of hopped malt concentrate as well as a package of yeast. Along with the kit, you will also need to buy what is known as "fermentables". Fermentables form the basis for the alcohol making process. These items include brewers sugar, liquid malt extract, dry malt extract, hammerer's sugar, Belgian Candi sugar, and rice syrup. Aim for at least two pounds of the fermentables.
For making beer at home you need to both clean and sanitize the equipment you use before you cook up your beer. It is necessary to do this in order to keep all of the bacteria and fungi at bay and out of your beverage. Sanitizing goes one step further and involves using iodine, chlorine or heat to get rid of any existing bacteria.
Next it is time to make your beer following the instructions on the kit closely. Once the beer has been made it needs to go through two stages of fermentation- the primary and the secondary and bottling stage. Beer is called wort when it is time fro the primary fermentation to take place and this begins on the first day and carries through to the following three to five days. Once air bubbles appear then you will know that it is fermenting properly.
The secondary fermentation stage of making beer at home is when the beer is in the appropriate bottle. You can try a little but just a small portion. Make a priming solution using pure dextrose to encourage the carbonation process to take place.
Hi, I'm Romain Levesque Author of the article and owner of the website: http://www.the-beer-meister.com
Feel free to stop by. You may republish this article as long as the resource box an live link remains. Cheers!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Romain_Levesque
The next thing you need to do when it comes to making beer at home is to choose the recipe you are going to make and then buy the necessary ingredients. The smartest move for the novice beer maker is to buy a prepackaged "beer kit" at the liquor store. The beer kit will consist of a large can of hopped malt concentrate as well as a package of yeast. Along with the kit, you will also need to buy what is known as "fermentables". Fermentables form the basis for the alcohol making process. These items include brewers sugar, liquid malt extract, dry malt extract, hammerer's sugar, Belgian Candi sugar, and rice syrup. Aim for at least two pounds of the fermentables.
For making beer at home you need to both clean and sanitize the equipment you use before you cook up your beer. It is necessary to do this in order to keep all of the bacteria and fungi at bay and out of your beverage. Sanitizing goes one step further and involves using iodine, chlorine or heat to get rid of any existing bacteria.
Next it is time to make your beer following the instructions on the kit closely. Once the beer has been made it needs to go through two stages of fermentation- the primary and the secondary and bottling stage. Beer is called wort when it is time fro the primary fermentation to take place and this begins on the first day and carries through to the following three to five days. Once air bubbles appear then you will know that it is fermenting properly.
The secondary fermentation stage of making beer at home is when the beer is in the appropriate bottle. You can try a little but just a small portion. Make a priming solution using pure dextrose to encourage the carbonation process to take place.
Hi, I'm Romain Levesque Author of the article and owner of the website: http://www.the-beer-meister.com
Feel free to stop by. You may republish this article as long as the resource box an live link remains. Cheers!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Romain_Levesque
Why Making Beer At Home Might Be A Good Idea
You have probably seen those ads in the back of magazines that provide you with everything you need to make beer at home. Perhaps you know someone who brew their own beer and thought about trying your hand at the process. The fact is that making beer is a popular pastime for many enthusiasts, and it may be a good one for you. Here are a couple of reasons why.
First, brewing your own beer can be a lot of fun. If you enjoyed science experiments in grade school or think the best Christmas present you ever received was a chemistry set, then there is a good chance that a beer kit will provide you with some of the same magic. The kits are simple step by step affairs, and not hard to set up at all. You will have a great time following along the process that leads to a batch of your own home brew. In fact, the process may prove to be just as much fun as drinking the end product with your buddies.
Next, making beer at home is a chance to come up with your own distinctive blend and flavor. After you have some experience using the kits, there is a good chance that you will begin to wonder about ways to make your home brew uniquely your own. Perhaps you can vary the amount of hops you add to the beer, or maybe add some extra ingredient that provides a distinctive flavor to the final product. Who knows? You might come up with a new recipe that will at least make you well known in the neighborhood, or possibly attract the attention of a regional brewer who would pay you good money for the rights to mass produce with the recipe. In either case, you get to enjoy yourself and your hobby.
Making beer can be a pleasant activity on a number of levels. The activity can be a great hobby that helps to minimize the effects of stress at work. There is always the chance of coming up with a tasty concoction that will make you a big hit with your friends. At the very least, you may find that you get a deep satisfaction from sipping on a brew that you made with your own hands. Why not give it a shot and see how it works out for you?
Hi, I'm Romain Levesque Author of the article and owner of the website: http://www.the-beer-meister.com
Feel free to stop by. You may republish this article as long as the resource box an live link remains. Cheers!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Romain_Levesque
First, brewing your own beer can be a lot of fun. If you enjoyed science experiments in grade school or think the best Christmas present you ever received was a chemistry set, then there is a good chance that a beer kit will provide you with some of the same magic. The kits are simple step by step affairs, and not hard to set up at all. You will have a great time following along the process that leads to a batch of your own home brew. In fact, the process may prove to be just as much fun as drinking the end product with your buddies.
Next, making beer at home is a chance to come up with your own distinctive blend and flavor. After you have some experience using the kits, there is a good chance that you will begin to wonder about ways to make your home brew uniquely your own. Perhaps you can vary the amount of hops you add to the beer, or maybe add some extra ingredient that provides a distinctive flavor to the final product. Who knows? You might come up with a new recipe that will at least make you well known in the neighborhood, or possibly attract the attention of a regional brewer who would pay you good money for the rights to mass produce with the recipe. In either case, you get to enjoy yourself and your hobby.
Making beer can be a pleasant activity on a number of levels. The activity can be a great hobby that helps to minimize the effects of stress at work. There is always the chance of coming up with a tasty concoction that will make you a big hit with your friends. At the very least, you may find that you get a deep satisfaction from sipping on a brew that you made with your own hands. Why not give it a shot and see how it works out for you?
Hi, I'm Romain Levesque Author of the article and owner of the website: http://www.the-beer-meister.com
Feel free to stop by. You may republish this article as long as the resource box an live link remains. Cheers!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Romain_Levesque
Home Beer Brewing - How to Make Beer
The history of making alcoholic beverages is essentially the history of home brewing. Historians believe that beer was originally discovered by people of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Barley was a staple grain of this area and it was soon learned that if the barley got wet and was allowed to germinate, it would become sweet and could be used in foods like bread. This process is known as malting.
It didn't take much time after the discovery of malting to discover beer. Someone probably allowed their malted barley to get wet and remain exposed to the elements. Perhaps wild yeast contaminated the exposed liquid. The yeast then took hold and multiplied generating a bubbly liquid of alcohol and barley that soon became the first beer.
Today, there are many people who enjoy home beer brewing. The main ingredients include malted barley, hops, yeast and water. Like wines, beers have many different flavors. This is caused by differences in the the type of malt, the moisture content, the type of barley used and the temperature used in the kiln.
Malted barley, also known as malt, is barley that has been soaked in water until it starts to sprout. A kiln is then used to dry it out. Barley has a hard husk, is low in protein and high in starch, making it perfect for brewing beer.
The next crucial beer making ingredient is hops. Hops are flowers which provide a natural preservative quality and bitterness to the beer.
The third ingredient is yeast. Yeast may be the most important beer making ingredient. Yeast is a living creature that lives off the ingredients in beer. It is responsible for converting sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxide in the fermentation stage.
The final ingredient is water. This is an important ingredient considering that beer is 90% water. For better tasting beer, it's best to always use quality water.
Beer is made from simple ingredients, but the process of brewing beer can be a little bit more complicated than it seems. If you love beer, you might find home beer making very enjoyable.
Here is an overview of the beer brewing process:
Steep and boil malt and hops
Ferment for one week
Transfer to secondary fermenter for two weeks
Transfer to clarifying keg for one week
Transfer to serving keg
Pressurize beer keg to carbonate for 7 days
Serve!
Many people who decide to make beer at home often choose to buy a beer making kit. This is often the easiest way to get started, so you can begin enjoying the satisfaction of making your own beer at home.
For more on home beer brewing [http://www.cocktailsandbeerandwine.com/whats_so_great_about_german_beer.html] please visit CocktailsAndBeerAndWine.com [http://www.cocktailsandbeerandwine.com/whats_so_great_about_german_beer.html] where you will find more information as well as tips and advice related to beer, wine and cocktails.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eileen_Childs
It didn't take much time after the discovery of malting to discover beer. Someone probably allowed their malted barley to get wet and remain exposed to the elements. Perhaps wild yeast contaminated the exposed liquid. The yeast then took hold and multiplied generating a bubbly liquid of alcohol and barley that soon became the first beer.
Today, there are many people who enjoy home beer brewing. The main ingredients include malted barley, hops, yeast and water. Like wines, beers have many different flavors. This is caused by differences in the the type of malt, the moisture content, the type of barley used and the temperature used in the kiln.
Malted barley, also known as malt, is barley that has been soaked in water until it starts to sprout. A kiln is then used to dry it out. Barley has a hard husk, is low in protein and high in starch, making it perfect for brewing beer.
The next crucial beer making ingredient is hops. Hops are flowers which provide a natural preservative quality and bitterness to the beer.
The third ingredient is yeast. Yeast may be the most important beer making ingredient. Yeast is a living creature that lives off the ingredients in beer. It is responsible for converting sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxide in the fermentation stage.
The final ingredient is water. This is an important ingredient considering that beer is 90% water. For better tasting beer, it's best to always use quality water.
Beer is made from simple ingredients, but the process of brewing beer can be a little bit more complicated than it seems. If you love beer, you might find home beer making very enjoyable.
Here is an overview of the beer brewing process:
Steep and boil malt and hops
Ferment for one week
Transfer to secondary fermenter for two weeks
Transfer to clarifying keg for one week
Transfer to serving keg
Pressurize beer keg to carbonate for 7 days
Serve!
Many people who decide to make beer at home often choose to buy a beer making kit. This is often the easiest way to get started, so you can begin enjoying the satisfaction of making your own beer at home.
For more on home beer brewing [http://www.cocktailsandbeerandwine.com/whats_so_great_about_german_beer.html] please visit CocktailsAndBeerAndWine.com [http://www.cocktailsandbeerandwine.com/whats_so_great_about_german_beer.html] where you will find more information as well as tips and advice related to beer, wine and cocktails.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eileen_Childs
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